Series Preview: 6/2-6/4 Kansas City Royals @ Tampa Bay Rays

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 2, 2009 11:26 AM EDT Comment 47 comments

6/2: Kyle Davies vs. Andy Sonnanstine (7:08 SS)

6/3: Brian Bannister vs. Jeff Niemann (7:08 FSF)

6/4: Gil Meche vs. James Shields (4:08 SS)

C John Buck/Miguel Olivo

1B Billy Butler

2B Alberto Callapso

3B Mark Teahen

SS Luis Hernandez

LF David DeJesus

CF Mitch Maier

RF Jose Guillen

No lengthy preview today; Davis is eh, Bannister is meh, and Meche is ... huh, a sub-3 FIP? Also, this is fantastic (h/t Eric Seidman):

Delmon Young: 117 PA, 1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, .251 wOBA
Willie Bloomquist: 111 PA, 2 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, .346 wOBA

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As I recall, a trained chimp could steal a base off Buck.

This should be fun. Going tonight and tomorrow. Facing righties who aren’t very good. I DEMAND a sweep.

RD over and out.

by ReasonableDoubt on Jun 2, 2009 11:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Suicide watch if the sweep is by the Royals

Seriously. The Rays shouldn’t lose a game this series.

"Where we all wait in earnest with pudding in hand for the Upton comet to sail through the roofed skies, so that we may meet Him."

by kericr on Jun 2, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty sure Buck is hurt.

So, Olivo.

Today, we are all Honkballers.

by RATW on Jun 2, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Buck is hurt

and his replacement Pena will probably play against a RHP, otherwise it’s Olivo, who has a very strong arm but is nice enough to give more passed balls than any other C in MLB to even things out.

by benfunke on Jun 2, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That lineup is going to devour us.

So long, Sweet Lime!

by PlayOnWords on Jun 2, 2009 11:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We dodge Zack Greinke

I think we get even for last year’s 4-game sweep.

We know something you don't know
And if we don't share then we don't grow
Unabomber set the whole world on fire

by Orlando Rays on Jun 2, 2009 11:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Greinke's an Indian?

by Raymondo on Jun 2, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Native American, thank you.

RD over and out.

by ReasonableDoubt on Jun 2, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Should have skipped Sonny

This team can’t afford to experiment anymore

by Raymondo on Jun 2, 2009 11:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You truly are the master baiter

Rays Win!

by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 2, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I try, always like a good debate

by Raymondo on Jun 2, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

For S & G

Which internal option would be less of an “experiment”?

Rays Win!

by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 2, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm sure he means bypass his start and move on to JN due to day off

I don’t agree

by FreeZorilla on Jun 2, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We didn't do it earlier in the year when we could have skipped 5 to get an extra 1, I don't think we would now, either

Rays Win!

by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 2, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sonny's last start?

Could Hernandez be up next?

by Raymondo on Jun 2, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Swapping Sonny for Hernandez probably isn't going to be much of a change.

by Suttree on Jun 2, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You think Hernandez will post an ERA in the mid 7s???

Just being a smartass

But if he does get blasted tonight I think we have to send him down to AAA. I believe he has options left

Free Ray Durham!

by Sveet on Jun 2, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd be cool with him just getting relegated to the pen.

Let him work out his issues in long relief/mop up today and let Cormier pitch more important situations.

Cormier, Balfour, Howell? That’s not bad in a tight spot.

by Suttree on Jun 2, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why would Hernandez get a shot in front of Talbot?

Hernandez has a 4.2 FIP in Durham.
Talbot had a 3.03 FIP last year and a 3.55 FIP this year.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 2, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hernandez has a proven track record in MLB

neither are long term fixes

Talbot is Sonny Jr.

by Raymondo on Jun 2, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He had one good year in the majors.

And that was in 2002. Sonny’s 2007 and 2008 were better.

And Talbot is almost nothing like Sonny?

by Suttree on Jun 2, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sonny is 'almost nothing' is correct

I’ve been following Hernandez since they signed him, and wouldn’t mind him getting a shot

by Raymondo on Jun 2, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hernandez doesn't even have the major league track record of Sonnanstine though.

And he’s not pitching better than Talbot in Durham.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 2, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Based on what? FIP?

You’re just cherry-picking stats

by nolesblogger on Jun 2, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The post I just wrote is for you.

Percival saw Dr. Koko Eaton's last name and mistook it for his prescribed treatment.

by Lurch's Lobbyists on Jun 2, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

His post was sarcastic.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 2, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's being sarcastic.

It’s difficult to tell at times.

by Suttree on Jun 2, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I also wasn't the one claiming to have been "following" someone

by nolesblogger on Jun 2, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You make a very valid point

while i too enjoy these ‘new’ stats, there are so many, that one can certainly find a few that make their case

by Raymondo on Jun 2, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least you bit on it too

Percival saw Dr. Koko Eaton's last name and mistook it for his prescribed treatment.

by Lurch's Lobbyists on Jun 2, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I’ve been “following” Talbot. Although this is all wrapped up in Talbot’s currently lower FIP…for reference he gets 50% more ground ball outs, has a superior K/BB, and allows fewer HRs. The only blotch on his record…a .304 BA, is due to high BABIP.

Of course he’s got a stiff shoulder so if Sonny goes down we may indeed see Hernandez first.

Percival saw Dr. Koko Eaton's last name and mistook it for his prescribed treatment.

by Lurch's Lobbyists on Jun 2, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs